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Former Trainer Reveals How Oleksandr Usyk Will Fare Against Tyson Fury

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Joshua Ben Joseph | Last updated 5/17/24

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) will put his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles against the ‘Gypsy King’ Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) in a highly anticipated showdown on Saturday. There are undoubtedly polarizing opinions about the potential victor of the fight. Meanwhile, his former trainer gave an insight into the performance that fans could expect from Usyk, who he believes was “born to box.”

James Ali Bashir trained Usyk from 2013 to 2016, and under his guidance, Usyk secured both the WBO interim Inter-Continental cruiserweight title in 2014 and the WBO cruiserweight title in 2016.

Talking about his upcoming fight, Bashir mentioned that he has always told Usyk that the fighter who wins the first four rounds secures the victory.“I expect Oleksandr Usyk to utilize the overhand left. Tyson seemed susceptible to that particular punch fighting Otto Wallin, so I would employ that strategy – a lot of overhand lefts off of Usyk’s jab,” he said in an interview. “He should jab to Tyson’s chest and immediately following that jab go over the top with the left hand.”

Bashir further stated that if Usyk “opens up a couple of those cuts,” he could slow Fury down. Moreover, he is confident that Usyk would bank on making the first four rounds count.

“He’s a phenomenal fighter. He’s very educated; he’s very dedicated. He stands a very, very good possibility of pulling this thing off and winning the fight,” he said. “If ever there was a guy that was born to box, Oleksandr Usyk is that guy. He’s a dedicated guy; he’s a focused guy; he’s a hands-on guy. He exemplifies courage, stamina, willingness.”

Bashir added that fans could witness Usyk’s impeccable footwork come into play during the fight.

**“Fury Will Kick His A*s”**

On the other hand, Fury’s trainer, SugarHill Steward, is confident that his fighter will emerge the victor. Steward believes that the Kronk-style fighting, i.e., going for a knockout, that he instilled in Fury will come into play during the fight. “It’s the basic fundamentals that nobody teaches, the proper fundamentals of boxing to take care of yourself. That’s the first thing,” Hill said in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I never underestimate Usyk. I believe Tyson Fury will kick his a*s. But I never underestimate him because if you don’t think highly of Usyk, then you’ll get your a*s kicked.”

This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.

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